President William Ruto has highlighted major strides in Kenya’s education sector, revealing that nearly 500,000 students have already benefited from the new Student-Centred Funding Model.

The announcement was made during the State of the Nation Address in Parliament on November 20, 2025, where the President outlined reforms implemented since 2022.

Student-centred funding

President Ruto told lawmakers that upon assuming office, the education sector faced challenges including a strained transition to the competency-based curriculum (CBC), a chronic teacher deficit, universities on the edge of insolvency, and overstretched infrastructure.

“We moved quickly to restore education as the great equaliser. Through the Student-Centred Funding Model, scholarships and loans now follow need and merit, placing the learner at the centre. Nearly 500,000 students have already benefited,” he said.

Addressing the teacher shortage, Ruto revealed that 76,000 teachers have been recruited, with an additional 24,000 set to join by January 2026, bringing the total to 100,000 teachers within three years.

Infrastructure development, TVET growth

On education infrastructure, the President noted collaboration with the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF). “Together with the NG-CDF, we have delivered 23,000 new classrooms, and 1,600 laboratories are under construction, easing congestion and giving CBC the dignified facilities it requires,” he said.

Ruto also highlighted the growth of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), with enrolment increasing from 341,000 in 2022 to 718,000. He said young Kenyans are increasingly pursuing courses in engineering, ICT, modern agriculture, hospitality, design, and other trades that support a modern economy.

The President reiterated that Kenya has increased education funding by nearly Ksh129 billion to support universal access to quality education.